Combination mobile toy

ABSTRACT

A basic toy unit including a longitudinally channeled body member and a pair of longitudinally channeled wheel supporting members removably attached to said body member, and a plurality of auxiliary toy units each having means for interfitting engagement with certain of the channels in said members for attaching them respectively to one of said members.

United States Patent C [151 3,660,927

De Christopher [45] May 9, 1972 [541 COMBINATION MOBILE TOY 3,224,13712/1965, Wright et al. ..46/17 [72] inventor: Eugene De Christopher 326Sprague Road. Penn y, Pa. 15676 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Filed:Mar. 10, 1969 I 506,842 6/1939 Great Britain ..46/17 [21] Appl. No.:805,520 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-D. L.Weinhold 52 us. Cl ..46/17 [5 1} Int. Cl. ....A63h 33/06 581 Field ofSearch ..46/16, 17 [571 ABSTRACT A basic toy unit including alongitudinally channeled body [56] References Cited member and a pair oflongitudinally channeled wheel support- UNITED STATES PATENTS ingmembers removably attached to said body member, and a plurality ofauxlhary toy unlts each having means for inter- 2,3l Osborne fittingengagement with certain of the channels in said mem. 2,545,155 l 95lLogan bers for attaching them respectively to one of said members.2,568,557 9/1951 Newberry ...46/l7 2,940,21 l 6/1960 Kelley ..46/17 4Claim, 27 Drawing Figures PMENTEDMY 9l972 3,660,927

swan 1 OF 5 PATENTED 9 3,660,927

sum 2 or 5 Eugene De ch lsf pheh INVENTOR.

BY 'rv- TVA/LL,

flTTORNl-I] PZKTENTEDMAY SHEET 3 BF 5 H l 2 U" ji I 'II/ Eugene .DeChristopher INVENTOR.

BY 1% "WM HTTORNE) PATENTEDMAY 9 1972 SHEET U 0F 5 Fig. 19

Euc e ne De Chris io her INVENTOR.

BY Wax/Q flrroz NEy COMBINATION MOBILE TOY This invention relates towheeled mobile toys, and one of the principal objects of the inventionis to provide a basic vehicle type unit which can easily and quickly beconverted into various types of mobile toys of attractive designs merelyby exchanging certain auxiliary constructive toy assemblies or units inthe basic unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the-present invention the basic unit isimitative of a motor truck including an elongated body member ofgenerally rectangular cross-sectional shape with a central longitudinalchannel, also of generally rectangular cross-sectional shape, and a pairof wheel supporting members of shorter length but of substantially thesame cross-sectional shape and size as said body member removablyattached longitudinally to the bottom of the body member and eachsupporting a pair of axially opposed wheels. Various toy imitations ofmobile units may be interchangeably attached to the body member so thata child can construct many amusing, instructive and educational toydesigns such, for example, as imitation ordinary trucks, fire trucks,tank trucks, log trucks, crane or derrick trucks, dump trucks, toytrains and many others without the use of any tool other than a smallscrewdriver.

As already mentioned, the wheel units are removably attached to theelongated body member referred to. Also the other imitation parts of anordinary motor truck, such as the cab member and drivers seat member, aswell as most of the various other imitation toy units, are attachable tosaid body member.

However, the pairs of wheel units may be converted into certain mobiletoy units separately from the elongated body member. Similar wheel unitsmay also be mounted in or on other toy units attachable to said bodymember.

The simplicity, versatility and attractiveness of my combination mobiletoy will be more clearly apparent from the following specification andreference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of an imitation motor truck comprising oneform of basic unit of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the truck body member shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an imitation cab member as shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of two pairs of wheel assemblies as shownin FIG. 1, with one wheel removed from its axle;

FIG. 5 is a detail transverse sectional view of the body member showingone manner of the mounting thereon of the cab member;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the driver's seat member shown in FIG.1, and showing one manner of assembly of the imitation head lights;

FIG. 7 is a detail view of the imitation truck driver shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the imitation motor truck of FIG. 1 withan imitation operative crane removably attached thereto;

FIG. 9 is a reduced section taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 10 is a section taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation of the imitation motor truck shown in FIG. Iconverted into an imitation fire truck;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the imitation fire truck shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a section taken on the line 13-43 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a support member attachable to the bodymember of the imitation motor truck of FIG. 1 for supporting cylindricalobjects such as imitation logs, pipes, tanks or the like;

FIG. 15 is a side elevation of the imitation motor truck shown in FIG. 1with a load of imitation logs thereon;

FIG. 16 is a rear view of the assembly shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a rear view similar to FIG. 16 with the truck carrying animitation cylindrical tank;

FIG. 18in a side elevation of the imitation motor truck shown in FIG. Iwith a mobile imitation conveyor attached thereto;

FIG. 19 is a partial plan view of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle utilizing the two wheelunits shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 21 is a transverse section taken on the line 21-21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an imitation cab member similar to thatof FIG. 3 with a modified means for supporting the cab member in thecentral channel of the elongated truck body member;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an imitation truck body member similarto that shown in FIG. 2, but with a modified form of central channel forinterfitting engagement with the cab member shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a perspective of another form of body member provided withlongitudinal grooves for the reception of a plurality of vertical posts;

FIG. 25 is a side elevation of an imitation bus body or the like mountedon the truck body member shown in FIG. 24;

FIGS. 26 and 27 are end views of other forms of imitation truck bodymembers.

Referring to the drawings in which like numerals designate like parts inthe several views, and referrring first to FIGS. 1 to 7, the basic unit,indicated generally by the numeral 10, is in the form of a toy imitationmotor truck, comprised of a number of separate detachable pans, whichmay be made of wood, metal casting, plastic or other suitable material,the parts including an elongated body member A, a pair of wheel units B,a cab member C and a drivers seat member D all detachably assembledtogether to form the imitation motor truck 10. All of said members andall the members of all auxiliary imitation toy units are provided withmeans, such, for example, as channels, depending narrowed portions orscrew openings for firm but detachable engagement with the body member Aor their associated members, as will now be more fully described.

As shown in FIG. 2 the elongated body member A is of generallyrectangular cross-sectional shape having a central channel 12, also ofgenerally rectangular cross-sectional shape extending from end to end ofthe body member forming side walls Al and having a central longitudinalthrough slot 14 in the bottom of the channel. This slot extends alongthe greater portion of the length of the body member, but is closed atits ends.

The wheel units B comprise two short identical wheel supporting members16 of substantially the same cross-sectional shape and proportions asthe body member A, but each having not only a top longitudinal channel18, forming side walls Bl but also a bottom square transverse channel 20with its open top in the same place as that of the bottom of body memberA thereby forming a rectangular opening I9 in the bottom of the channel18. An axle bearing member 22 of square or rectangular cross-sectionalshape and having a through longitudinal bore 24 is closely interfittedin the channel 20. A wheel axle 26 is rotatably mounted in the bore 24,and a wheel 28 tightly mounted on each end of the axle. Centrally ofeach of the members 22 is a srew opening 30 for the purpose of removablyclamping both bearing members 22 to the bottom of body member A by meansof headed screws 32 projecting through the slot 14 of body member A intothe screw opening. Any desired number of pairs of wheeled members B maybe attached to body member A.

The imitation cab member C, as illustrated, is of the same width as thatof the body member A and has a narrower rectangular depending portion 34for close interfitting insertion in the channel 12 of the body member A.This reduced portion fonns horizontal shoulders Cl extending from itsedges to the full width of the cab member C, and may have a verticalthreaded opening 35 (FIG. 5) for a screw 36 projecting through theelongated slot 14 to hold the cab member fimily, but detachably, againstthe body member A.

The imitation driver's seat member D may be of slightly lesser widththan that of the body member A, and it also has a narrower dependingportion 38 for close interfitting insertion in the channel 12 of bodymember A. It may also be provided with a screw opening (not shown) formore positively attaching it to body member A. As shown in FIG. 6, thisseat member D, as illustrated, is provided with two forwardly projectingdowel pins 40 on which are mounted recessed imitation head light members42, as shown in FIG. 1. The imitation seat member D also has a lateralcylindrical window opening 44 and a vertical cylindrical opening 46 forthe reception of a cylindrical portion of an imitation driver 48 (FIG. 7as shown in FIG. 1.

In FIGS. 8, 9 and is shown an imitation crane or derrick unit E mountedon the basic unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 without any change in the basicunit. The crane or derrick unit E comprises an imitation operator'shousing member 50 and an imitation operator 52, said housing having afixed axially depending cylindrical gear 54 and two other similarintermeshing gears 56 and 58 rearwardly thereof all pivotally andremovably mounted in channel 12 of body member A on screw journalmembers 59 projecting through slot 14 in said body member. The rear-mostgear 58 is of the greater height and has an imitation crane boom 60pivotally mounted on its upper end. A cylindrical drum 62 istransversely and rotatably mounted in the housing 50 and is operable bymeans of a handle 64. A lifting cable 66 extends from the drum 62 over apulley in the free end of the boom 60 and has a hook 68 at its lowerend. The crane boom is supported on a floor surface by means of anadjustable telescopic post 70. As shown more clearly in FIG. 9 theintermediate gear 56 is idle, so that the crane boom 60 will pivotallyswing in the same direction as the housing 50.

In FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 is shown an imitation fire truck F having a pairof transversely opposed ladders 72 mounted longitudinally on the basicunit 10 by means of longitudinally spaced supports 74 having rectangulardepending portions 76 inserted in the channel 12 of the body member Aand detachably secured therein by means of headed screws 78 projectingthrough slot 14. The ladders 72 are suspended on pins 73 projectinglaterally from the supports 74.

In FIGS. and 16 is shown the basic imitation truck 10 converted into animitation log truck G by means of concave supports 80 (also shown inFIG. 14) for supporting the imitation logs 82. The supports 80 havenarrow depending portions 84 for removable insertion in the channel 12of body member A.

In FIG. 17 is shown the basic imitation truck 10 converted into a tanktruck H by means of concave supports 86, similar to supports 80, forsupporting the tank 88.

In FIGS. 18 and 19 is shown an imitation conveyor I removably attachedto the body member A by means of a linkage member 90 pivotally mountedat its front end on a square or rectangular support 92 inserted in thechannel 12 of the body member A and at its rear end on a similar support92 inserted in the channel 94 in the front one of a pair of wheel units96 similar to the wheel units B shown in FIG. 4. Large pivot pins 98project through the ends of the link members 90 and the supports 92. Theside walls 100 of the conveyor are supported on the axles 101 of thewheels 102. The conveyor belt 104 is operated by crank 106.

The toy vehicle .I shown in FIGS. and 21 include two of the wheel unitsB shown in FIG. 4 with a rectangular elongated bar 106 inserted in thechannels 18 of the members 16 and having U-shaped members 108 slidablybut tightly mounted over the ends of the bar and the members 16 to clampthe bar to the members 16. Additionally, if desired, the bar 106 mayhave screw openings 110 (FIG. 21) through which screws 1 12 may beinserted into the wheel bearing members 22 for more positively securingthe parts in assembled relation.

In FIG. 22 is shown a modified form of imitation cab member C-1 and inFIG. 23 a modified form of imitation truck body member Al, which may bemade into two wooden pans, as illustrated, and held together by dowelpins 113 (shown in broken lines). The depending portion 34-1 of the cabmember terminates in lateral flanges 114 for interfitting insertion inlateral grooves 116 extending outwardly from the central channel 124from end to end of the body member A-l. The cab member can be insertedfrom the end of the body member. Any of the other members havingdepending portions as, for example, the driver's seat member D, theladder supports 74 and the concave supports 84 or 86 may be modifiedaccordingly.

In FIG. 24 is shown a modified form of truck body member A2-in which thewalls forming the channel 12 are provided with vertical longitudinalgrooves 118 for the reception therein of rows of vertical posts 120 forsupporting various toy structures on the basic truck unit 10. In FIG. 25is shown an imitation bus K, or the like, the top 122 of which issupported by rows of posts 120 which are tightly fitted in the grooves118 of the body member A-2.

In FIG. 26 is shown a modified fonn of truck body member having a pairof narrow, laterally spaced channels 18-1 instead of a single centralchannel.

In FIG. 27 is shown a form of truck body member A-4 similar to thatshown in FIG. 2 but of narrower width and having a narrow central,longitudinal channel 12-1.

From the foregoing description it is believed to be obvious that myimproved combination mobile toy unit shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 can easily beconverted by a child into a large number of interesting toy imitationsof wheeled mobile units in addition to those illustrated without the useof any tool other than a small screwdriver, It being necessary only thatthe necessary auxiliary interchangeable parts be included in a set.

Various changes or modifications in my combination mobile toy may bemade within the spirit and scope of my invention. Therefore, it shouldbe understood that the embodiments of my invention shown and describedare intended to be illustrative, only, and restricted only by theappended claims.

I claim:

1. In a combination mobile toy, a basic unit imitative of a motor truckcomprising an elongated body member of generally rectangularcross-sectional shape having therein, at least, one longitudinal channelalso of generally rectangular cross-sectional shape extending from endto end thereof, a drivers seat member seated transversely across the topof said body member, said member having a depending portion ininterfitting engagement with said body member, also, at least, a pair ofwheel supporting members of the same end shape as that of said bodymember, but each having a top longitudinal rectangular channel and alsoa bottom transverse rectangular channel open to said longitudinalchannels, a rectangular axle bearing member seated in said bottomchannel, an axle extending longitudinally through said bearing memberand having a wheel on each end thereof, means in said body member forremovably attaching each of said wheel supporting members to said bodymember in longitudinally aligned relation; and a plurality of auxiliarytoy units each having bottom end means for interfitting engagement withone of said body or wheel supporting members for removably attachingsaid auxiliary unit thereto; one of said units comprising an imitationcrane including an operator's housing having a fixed axially dependingcylindrical gear and two other similar intenneshing gears rearwardlythereof all pivotally and removably mounted on said body member, therearmost of said gears having a crane boom pivotally mounted on itsupper end, the housing member having a cylindrical drum transversely androtatably mounted therein, said drum having a lifting cable suspendedover the free end of said boom.

2. In a combination mobile toy, a basic unit imitative of a motor truck,comprising an elongated body member of generally rectangularcross-sectional shape having therein, at least, one longitudinal channelalso of generally rectangular cross-sectional shape extending from endto end thereof, a driver's seat member seated transversely across thetop of said body member, said member having a depending portion ininterfitting engagement with said body member, also, at least, a pair ofwheel supporting members of the same end shape as that of said bodymember, but each having a top longitudinal rectangular channel and alsoa bottom transverse rectangular channel open to said longitudinalchannel, a rectangular axle bearing member seated in said bottomchannel, an axle extending longitudinally through said bearing memberand having a wheel on each end thereof, means in said body member forremovably attaching each of said wheel supporting members to said bodymember in longitudinally aligned relation; and a plurality of auxiliarytoy units each having bottom end means for interfitting engagement withone of said body or wheel supporting members for removably attachingsaid auxiliary unit thereto; one of said units comprising a pair ofimitation fire ladders supported longitudinally on opposite sides of thebody member by means of a pair of longitudinally spaced supports havingupwardly convergent sides and each having a depending portion removablyattached to the body member, each of said supports also having a pinprojecting laterally from its outer side for the removable suspensionthereon of one of said ladders.

3. In a combination mobile toy, a basic unit imitative of a motor truckcomprising an elongated body member of generally rectangularcross-sectional shape having therein, at least, one longitudinal channelalso of generally rectangular cross-sectional shape extending from endto end thereof, a drivers seat member seated transversely across the topof said body member, said member having a depending portion ininterfitting engagement with said body member also, at least, a pair ofwheel supporting members of the same end shape as that of said bodymember, but each having a top longitudinal rectangular channel and alsoa bottom transverse rectangular channel open to said longitudinalchannel, a rectangular axle bearing member seated in said bottomchannel, an axle extending longitudinally through said bearing memberand having a wheel on each end thereof, means in said body member forremovably attaching each of said wheel supporting members to said bodymember in longitudinally aligned relation; and a plurality of auxiliarytoy units each having bottom end means for interfitting engagement withone of said body or 'wheel supporting members for removably attachingsaid auxiliary unit thereto; one of said units comprising an imitationcrane including an operators housing having a fixed axially dependingcylindrical gear and two other similar intermeshing gears rearwardlythereof all pivotally and removably mounted on said body member, therearmost of said gears having a crane boom pivotally mounted on itsupper end, the housing member having a cylindrical drum transversely androtatably mounted therein, said drum having a lifting cable suspendedover the free end of said boom. 1

4. In a combination mobile toy, a basic unit imitative of a motor truckcomprising an elongated body member of generally rectangularcross-sectional shape having therein, at least, one longitudinal channelalso of generally rectangular cross-sectional shape extending from endto end thereof, a driver's seat member seated transversely across thetop of said body member, said member having a depending portion ininterfitting engagement with said body member, also, at least, a pair ofwheel supporting members of the same end shape as that of said bodymember, but each having a top longitudinal rectangular channel and alsoa bottom transverse rectangular channel open to said longitudinalchannel, a rectangular axle bearing member seated in said bottomchannel, an axle extending longitudinally through said bearing memberand having a wheel on each end thereof, means in said body member forremovably attaching each of said wheel supporting members to said bodymember in longitudinally aligned relation; and a plurality of auxiliarytoy units each having a bottom end means for interfitting engagementwith one of said body or wheel supporting member for removably attachingsaid auxiliary unit thereto; one of said units comprising a pair oflongitudinally spaced concaved supports having depending portions forinsertion in the central channel of said body member and a plurality ofimitation l ogs on supports.

1. In a combination mobile toy, a basic unit imitative of a motor truckcomprising an elongated body member of generally rectangularcross-sectional shape having therein, at least, one longitudinal channelalso of generally rectangular crosssectional shape extending from end toend thereof, a driver''s seat member seated transversely across the topof said body member, said member having a depending portion ininterfitting engagement with said body member, also, at least, a pair ofwheel supporting members of the same end shape as that of said bodymember, but each having a top longitudinal rectangular channel and alsoa bottom transverse rectangular channel open to said longitudinalchannels, a rectangular axle bearing member seated in said bottomchannel, an axle extending longitudinally through said bearing memberand having a wheel on each end thereof, means in said body member forremovably attaching each of said wheel supporting members to said bodYmember in longitudinally aligned relation; and a plurality of auxiliarytoy units each having bottom end means for interfitting engagement withone of said body or wheel supporting members for removably attachingsaid auxiliary unit thereto; one of said units comprising an imitationcrane including an operator''s housing having a fixed axially dependingcylindrical gear and two other similar intermeshing gears rearwardlythereof all pivotally and removably mounted on said body member, therearmost of said gears having a crane boom pivotally mounted on itsupper end, the housing member having a cylindrical drum transversely androtatably mounted therein, said drum having a lifting cable suspendedover the free end of said boom.
 2. In a combination mobile toy, a basicunit imitative of a motor truck, comprising an elongated body member ofgenerally rectangular cross-sectional shape having therein, at least,one longitudinal channel also of generally rectangular cross-sectionalshape extending from end to end thereof, a driver''s seat member seatedtransversely across the top of said body member, said member having adepending portion in interfitting engagement with said body member,also, at least, a pair of wheel supporting members of the same end shapeas that of said body member, but each having a top longitudinalrectangular channel and also a bottom transverse rectangular channelopen to said longitudinal channel, a rectangular axle bearing memberseated in said bottom channel, an axle extending longitudinally throughsaid bearing member and having a wheel on each end thereof, means insaid body member for removably attaching each of said wheel supportingmembers to said body member in longitudinally aligned relation; and aplurality of auxiliary toy units each having bottom end means forinterfitting engagement with one of said body or wheel supportingmembers for removably attaching said auxiliary unit thereto; one of saidunits comprising a pair of imitation fire ladders supportedlongitudinally on opposite sides of the body member by means of a pairof longitudinally spaced supports having upwardly convergent sides andeach having a depending portion removably attached to the body member,each of said supports also having a pin projecting laterally from itsouter side for the removable suspension thereon of one of said ladders.3. In a combination mobile toy, a basic unit imitative of a motor truckcomprising an elongated body member of generally rectangularcross-sectional shape having therein, at least, one longitudinal channelalso of generally rectangular cross-sectional shape extending from endto end thereof, a driver''s seat member seated transversely across thetop of said body member, said member having a depending portion ininterfitting engagement with said body member also, at least, a pair ofwheel supporting members of the same end shape as that of said bodymember, but each having a top longitudinal rectangular channel and alsoa bottom transverse rectangular channel open to said longitudinalchannel, a rectangular axle bearing member seated in said bottomchannel, an axle extending longitudinally through said bearing memberand having a wheel on each end thereof, means in said body member forremovably attaching each of said wheel supporting members to said bodymember in longitudinally aligned relation; and a plurality of auxiliarytoy units each having bottom end means for interfitting engagement withone of said body or wheel supporting members for removably attachingsaid auxiliary unit thereto; one of said units comprising an imitationcrane including an operator''s housing having a fixed axially dependingcylindrical gear and two other similar intermeshing gears rearwardlythereof all pivotally and removably mounted on said body member, therearmost of said gears having a crane boom pivotally mounted on itsupper end, the housing member having a cylindrical drum transversely androtatably mounted therein, said drum having a lifting caBle suspendedover the free end of said boom.
 4. In a combination mobile toy, a basicunit imitative of a motor truck comprising an elongated body member ofgenerally rectangular cross-sectional shape having therein, at least,one longitudinal channel also of generally rectangular cross-sectionalshape extending from end to end thereof, a driver''s seat member seatedtransversely across the top of said body member, said member having adepending portion in interfitting engagement with said body member,also, at least, a pair of wheel supporting members of the same end shapeas that of said body member, but each having a top longitudinalrectangular channel and also a bottom transverse rectangular channelopen to said longitudinal channel, a rectangular axle bearing memberseated in said bottom channel, an axle extending longitudinally throughsaid bearing member and having a wheel on each end thereof, means insaid body member for removably attaching each of said wheel supportingmembers to said body member in longitudinally aligned relation; and aplurality of auxiliary toy units each having a bottom end means forinterfitting engagement with one of said body or wheel supporting memberfor removably attaching said auxiliary unit thereto; one of said unitscomprising a pair of longitudinally spaced concaved supports havingdepending portions for insertion in the central channel of said bodymember and a plurality of imitation logs on said supports.